October always brings colder nights and the return of rainy season (although this year you could argue it never quite went away), but that certainly doesn’t mean we’re shy on things to do.
From pumpkin picking and Light Night trails around the city to food pop-ups and a gig every single night of the month, we’ve got everything you need to plan out your October around the city…
Horsforth Pick Your Own Pumpkins
Saturday 1 October – Monday 31 October 2022
There’s far more than just grabbing your pumpkin for spooky season here. There’s 18 different varieties to choose from so grab your favourite white, blue, orange, green, warty big or small one and take a tractor ride through the picking fields. If that’s not enough, there’s plenty of photo ops here, an onsite cafe and even facepainters to bring your spookiest ideas to life
Find out more here.
Free National Trust Pass
Sunday 1 October – Friday 20 October 2023 | Various locations
The National Trust is giving families the chance to visit its dozens of sites across England for free of charge this autumn.
When booking, you’ll need to select the free member’s ticket option and use the code ESCAPEINTOAUTUMN2023 when asked for your membership number, but it’s worth nothing that some National Trust places are exempt from this offer, so it’s advised that you check before planning your visit.
Find out more here.
Black History Walks with LEEDS2023
Saturday 7 October / Saturday 28 October 2023 | Meet at the Parkinson Building
With two dates available this month, the Black History Walks last two hours each and explore ‘local narratives with African connections’. The interactive walks are available to the public but booking is recommended.
Find out more here.
Glass Onion Vintage Pop-up
Saturday 7 October 2023 | Project House, Armley Road
One of Yorkshire’s biggest pop-up vintage stores is returning to Leeds, this time at new event space Project House. For second-hand fits and preloved garms, this place will become a true treasure trove for all savvy thrifters.
Find out more here.
Light Night
Thursday 12 October – Friday 13 October 2023 | Around Leeds
Light Night is back for another year, and there’s just two weeks until the streets of Leeds will be transformed into an incredible illuminated playground. Now in it’s nineteenth year, the UK’s largest annual arts and light festival returns with the theme ‘Future Dreaming’ and will span across two nights.
There’s more than 50 breathtaking light installations, dynamic projections and spectacular interactive artworks are set to wow thousands of visitors to the highly anticipated, annual cultural event – and it always feels like the whole city has come out to visit in anticipation.
Find out more here.
A Night Walk Down The Ginnel
Saturday 14 October 2023 | Chapeltown
Extending Light Night into a three-night adventure, Chapeltown will be hosting a walk down the ginnels across the suburb. The idea is the night brings locals together for a mile-long walk and then it’s over to Mandela Centre for a film night – it’s perfect for the whole family.
Find out more here.
Last chance to visit The Tetley
Sunday 22 October 2023 | The Tetley, Hunslet Road
Earlier this week, The Tetley announced that its current lease has come to an end, and as a result will be closing its doors later this month. The exhibition space, Tiny Tetley play area and T Bar and Cafe will both close from Sunday 22 October, so make sure to get in beforehand for one last visit.
Find out more here.
Food and Drink
Cheesy Living Co. Pop-up
Sunday 1 October | Northern Monk Refectory
If you’ve been down to The Cheesy Living Co. before, you’ll know just how well these guys know their cheeses. Initially launching at Trinity Kitchen, the feedback across Leeds has been overwhelmingly positive, leading the chip shop to continue with an additional pop-up in the city centre.
Catch the last day of residency on Monday and you’ll be able to find all kinds of gooey, cheesy goodness over at Northern Monk Refectory at Marshalls Mill.
Bundobust Oktoberfest Specials
Sunday 1 October – Sunday 15 October 2023 | Bundobust, Mill Hill, Leeds City Centre
It’s time to dust off your Lederhosen and head to Mill Hill because Bundobust are raising a stein to Oktoberfest.
From Friday 15 October, they’ll be shaking a spice rack over some iconic German dishes for hungry punters to enjoy alongside a cold craft beer. A real match made in heaven.
Making a triumphant return is the Bundo Pretzel, in collaboration with Bolton-based Bavarian bakery Pretzel & Spelt, the German baked good is spiced with garam massala and turmeric, flecked with ajwain seeds, black salt and mango powder.
Ivy Asia ‘Sake Sensations’
Sunday 1 October 2023 – Tuesday 31 October 2023 | The Ivy Asia, Vicar Lane
‘Sake Sensations’ is a brand new, unique collaborative menu between Akashi-Tai and The Ivy Asia.If you’re a fan of the Japanese rice wine Sake, then this elegant and refined pairing menu is the one for you.
An exciting new collaboration between The Ivy Asia and Akashi Tai, the UK’s leading sake brand, the menu will showcase the best flavours from the continent paired perfectly with a range of sakes.
This menu is available until Sunday 5 November 2023. The experience costs £85 per persona and you can book your table here.
Trinity Kitchen
Sunday 1 October 2023 – Tuesday 31 October 2023 | Trinity Shopping Centre
In came the downpours, the nights suddenly got a lot longer and to make the new season, Trinity Kitchen’s new food trucks arrived with plenty of winter warmers. Choose from Tikks Thai Kitchen, Little Red Eats, Fish&, Cheese Yard and Spuds & Bros throughout the month.
Find out more here.
Concerts and Live Events Calendar
Sunday 1 October 2023: Damien Lewis at Brudenell Social Club (tickets here)
Monday 2 October 2023: Holly Humberstone at The Wardrobe (tickets here)
Tuesday 3 October 2023: Scene Queen at Leeds University Union (tickets here)
Wednesday 4 October 2023: Dolores Forever at Oporto (tickets here)
Thursday 5 October 2023: Honeyblood at Hyde Park Book Club (tickets here)
Friday 6 October 2023: This Will Destroy You + The Ocean at Project House (tickets here)
Saturday 7 October 2023: New Order at First Direct Arena (tickets here)
Sunday 8 October 2023: The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus at The Key Club (tickets here)
Monday 9 October 2023: Funeral For A Friend at O2 Academy (tickets here)
Tuesday 10 October 2023: Cate at The Wardrobe (tickets here)
Wednesday 11 October 2023: Adam Rowe at Leeds Grand Theatre (tickets here)
Thursday 12 October 2023: The Northern Boys at The Hi-Fi Club (tickets here)
Friday 13 October 2023: Whitney Queen of the Night at First Direct Arena (tickets here)
Saturday 14 October 2023: Live at Leeds Festival (tickets here)
Sunday 15 October 2023: Neck Deep at The Key Club (tickets here)
Monday 16 October: The Damn Truth at Brudenell Social Club (tickets here)
Tuesday 17 October 2023: Squid at O2 Academy (tickets here)
Wednesday 18 October 2023: Birds In Row at The Lending Room (tickets here)
Thursday 19 October 2023: Newton Faulkner at Brudenell Social Club (tickets here)
Friday 20 October 2023: S Club at First Direct Arena (tickets here)
Saturday 21 October 2023: The Royston Club at The Wardrobe (tickets here)
Sunday 22 October 2023: Jurrasic Park In Concert at First Direct Arena (tickets here)
Monday 23 October 2023: Nature TV at Hyde Park Book Club (tickets here)
Tuesday 24 October 2023: English Teacher at Brudenell Social Club (tickets here)
Wednesday 25 October 2023: James Acaster at Leeds Playhouse (tickets here)
Thursday 26 October 2023: Venbee at Belgrave Music Hall (tickets here)
Friday 27 October 2023: Fall Out Boy at First Direct Arena (tickets here)
Saturday 28 October 2023: Punk Rock Factory at Leeds University Stylus (tickets here)
Sunday 29 October 2023: Elvis – The Best Of at First Direct Arena (tickets here)
Monday 30 October 2023: Alfie Blue at Oporto (tickets here)
Tuesday 31 October 2023: Queercore: Night of the Living at The Wardrobe (tickets here)
Live at Leeds Festival
Saturday 14 October 2022 | Various locations, Leeds
150+ Artists. 14 Venues. 16 Stages. 1 Day. 1 Wristband. The festival has previously seen the likes of Ed Sheeran, Stormzy, The 1975, Lizzo, Sam Fender, Royal Blood, Sam Smith, Tom Grennan and many more take to the stage before going to become global successes, so those looking to find up-and-coming talent will be sure to find some independent names destined for cities far bigger than Leeds in the future.
Find out more here.
